Global Indices Go Global

Z/Yen used a novel approach in building the Global Financial Centres Index 1. We used PropheZy to create an instrumental factor model that combined existing indices with participants' assessments. Since the GFCI launch in March at Cannes, we've been asked to present at numerous functions from a Swedish Chamber of Commerce (rather a propos for Michael) event to a Greater London Authority seminar and a Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (more Mark's style) round table. We've met delegations from the USA to Korea. We've participated in some fascinating discussions on new approaches to analysing financial centres' growth. Moreover, the instrumental factor approach has led to discussions with people looking at indices for regional financial centres, intellectual property, maritime centres, sustainability, bureaucracy and insurance, amongst others.

We encourage readers of Now & Z/Yen who have experience of financial centres, and haven't taken the opportunity already, to contribute to Global Financial Centres Index 2 by completing the very short questionnaire.

Z/Yen’s Getting Hotter At Games

Many readers will be familiar with Z/Yen’s networking, teambuilding and training games. Our series of Bourse games including the Technology Bourse, which is based on real investment outcomes in high technology; have all been very successful. We built on our successes with OligopoLuedo, a “merger mystery” which develops M&A skills; and Smugglers' Choice, a game of rum smuggling which teaches competitive game theory.

New for 2007 is WarmGame, designed with help from Mike Young of Corda, a game of international negotiation with the aim of reducing global warming. The governments of six major carbon dioxide producers – the USA, India, China, Russia, the EU and Japan – can make investments in projects such as non-fossil fuel power plants and flood defences, can impose economic sanctions on other countries who are not pulling their weight in the fight against global warming and have to answer questions on climate change.

The game is a good illustration of the tragedy of the commons and also demonstrates game theory and prospect theory. It has been a huge hit so far. Many people who know all our games think it is the best yet. So far we have run WarmGame for the London Accord and the Carbon Trust amongst others. If you have a networking or teambuilding event coming up why not give it a try – if you want to know more give Mark Yeandle a call.

The Day Of The MiFID Approaches (Only 100 Or So Days To Go!)

The EU ‘Markets in Financial Instruments Directive’ (MiFID to its friends) comes into effect on 1st November and interest continues to grow in our work on Best Execution. Mark and Michael held an afternoon seminar at the recent TradeTech MiFID 2007 exhibition where they demonstrated Z/Yen’s Best Execution Compliance Workstation.

This was attended by compliance officers and others from brokers such as Morgan Stanley, ING, Legal & General and Societe Generale. If anyone wants help on how to handle the best execution demands of MiFID – you know where to come!

Z/Yen People News

Many congratulations to Fran Birch, who married Eugene Kinghorn a few weeks ago. The wedding was soon followed by an action-packed ceremony (see “Z/Yen gets even hotter at games” below). Monique Gore has travelled all the way from New Zealand to join Z/Yen, assisting Linda Cook in the near-impossible job of looking after us all. Mary O’Callaghan has returned from maternity leave, much to Ian Harris’s relief. Nick Danev, who has been an intern for some months, now joins as a full-time employee. Alexandria Petrov, who like Nick hails from Bulgaria, joins for the summer as an intern. Mark Yeandle’s corner of the office is now described as “the Bulgarian enclave”. And talking of interns, we learn with pride that Jo Hughes, a former intern, was called to the bar this summer. Mine’s a mild and bitter, luv. Seriously, well done to Jo. We always like to hear from former employees and interns, so do let us know your news, folks.

Z/Yen Gets Even Hotter At Games

If Ian Harris can claim that even one good thing has ever come out of Z/Yen’s annual cricket match, (an event which boasted it’s 10th anniversary this year), it must be the resulting courtship and recent marriage of our Fran Birch with Eugene Kinghorn. Three years ago, Eugene played for The Children’s Society while Fran played for Z/Yen. One thing led to another after the (cricket) match and those two were matched (married) a few weeks ago.

This year we returned to the scene of the crime, Holland Park, with Eugene of course now playing in Z/Yen colours (qualified by marriage, cricket was always thus).

Suffice it to say that Z/Yen won the fixture this year, with several Z/Yen people exceeding all expectations (even Ian, I kid you not). But you couldn’t have written the script for the ending – Eugene and Fran batting together, knocking off the winning runs.

SpecialiZm Joint Venture

Specializm Limited has been relaunched as a joint venture between Shums Cassim and Z/Yen Group. Shums is a M&A banker by training with experience across different sectors and geographies and has recently completed a stint as a City headhunter. His focus will be on sourcing senior executives and investment opportunities in the private equity and climate change arenas.